Stripe · Decline codes
What does the Stripe no_action_taken decline code mean?
Checked
The Stripe decline code no_action_taken means the card was declined for an unknown reason: the bank refused without saying why. Stripe's next step is for the customer to contact their card issuer for more information, since banks discuss decline details only with the cardholder. A different card or payment method usually lets the order go through immediately.
- Type
- Soft decline, reason not given
- Who declined
- The card's bank
- Retry
- Possible, but a new card is faster
- Shopper action
- Use another card or call the bank
- Merchant action
- Offer other payment methods
What PlatformDTC does
At checkout PlatformDTC counts no_action_taken as a decline another processor may approve, so stores with PayPal card payments as their backup can offer the shopper a second try there. With Smart retry on, a renewal declined this way gets one retry 48 to 72 hours later, like do_not_honor; a second refusal asks the customer for a new payment method.
Why it happens
Banks do not have to explain a refusal to the store. no_action_taken is one of several codes Stripe uses when the bank's answer carries no useful reason.
Typical hidden causes are the bank's own fraud checks, account limits or a hold on the card.
What the shopper can do
Pay with another card or a wallet. To use this card later, call the bank and ask them to approve purchases from the store.
What the store can do
Keep the shopper in the checkout with other payment options visible. Make sure you collect the CVC and postal code, which help banks approve card-not-present payments.
For developers
Look at charge.outcome.network_decline_code. On Visa, raw code 21 means "No action taken", a Category 4 generic code that Visa allows to be reattempted up to 20 times in 30 days. Also check outcome.advice_code before scheduling a retry.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I find out why no_action_taken happened?
- Usually not. The bank shares the reason only with the cardholder, so the customer has to ask them.
- Should I retry no_action_taken?
- A later retry is allowed by Visa's rules for generic codes, but for a shopper at checkout a different payment method is the quickest fix.
Sources
Related
- do_not_honor — The bank declined the card without saying why.
- generic_decline — Declined for an unknown reason, or blocked by Stripe Radar or Adaptive Acceptance.
- call_issuer — The bank declined without a reason and wants the cardholder to contact it.
- service_not_allowed — The card was declined for a reason the bank did not give.
- not_permitted — The bank says this payment is not permitted on this card.
- offline_pin_required — In-person only: the card needs to be inserted and a PIN entered.
- online_or_offline_pin_required — In-person only: the card needs a PIN, by Online PIN or chip and PIN.
- pickup_card — The card can't be used for this payment; it may have been reported lost or stolen.